Inverlochy Castle was built in 1863 by the first Lord Abinger near the site of the original 13th century fortress. In 1873, during a trip to Balmoral, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting where she wrote in her diaries, “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”. The frescoed ceiling of the Great Hall, Venetian crystal chandeliers, and the understated elegance of the drawing room reflect a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere of a bygone era. Dinner was an experience to savor in any one of the three dining rooms, each decorated with elaborate period furniture presented as gifts to Inverlochy Castle from the King of Norway. The daily menus featured at the castle were in the style of modern British cuisine, internationally recognized. Henry and I dined well, with such features on the menu as Foie Gras Pressé with Peach and Peppercorn Sorbet, Hazelnuts, and Toasted Brioche as a first course. Inverlochy Castle remained as a private residence until 1969 when it was converted from a family home into a luxury country house hotel. Each of the 17 rooms in the hotel is palatial, each with a private bathroom, each with individual design and character, and each with splendid views of the grounds and the surrounding mountains. Henry and I stayed in Glen Nives, Room #23 on an upper floor with exquisite views of the gardens and mountains. There were two full bathrooms in the suite that included a charming sitting room and a beautifully dressed bed, warmly decorated in soft yellows and greens. The castle was only 54 miles from Adranaiseig, requiring about two hours to drive between the two points. Many of the roads were single lane roads and bridges, which required some patience and slower speeds than normal, although driving through the exquisite landscape was beautiful, and the journey itself was half the fun!

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. View of Inverlochy Castle from the front lawn. 2. The interior stairway gives a sense of the character of the house. 3. The Billiards Room, complete with large game trophies. The elk were shot at Lake Jackson, Wyoming. 4. Private dining room, one of three used to serve dinner to the hotel’s guests. Center, Top: View of Mount Ben Nevis near the castle grounds. Center, Middle: Bedroom, “Glen Nevis” Room 23. this was on an upper floor with great views of the mountains from three windows. The room also included a sitting room and two separate ensuite bathrooms. Center, Bottom: First sight of the castle at the end of a driveway lined with huge trees and hedges. Right Column: 1. Second floor stairway landing. The Billards Room is on the left through the archway, additional bedrooms are through the archway on the right. 2. View of the Main Hall, where we enjoyed lunch by a fire, and tea . 3. Fresh daisies from the walled garden in the sitting room of “Glen Nevis”. 4. Expansive views from the gardens behind the castle overlooking mountains, lake and fields.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                      BACK TO MAP  PAGE